Various exemplary angled surgical trocars and methods of using angled surgical trocars are provided. In general, a trocar configured to be advanced into a body of a patient can have an angled distal portion. The trocar can have a cut-out at its distal end in the angled distal portion of the trocar. The trocar can be advanced into the patient's body alone or with an obturator located therein. The obturator located in the trocar can have a flexible portion configured to bend within the trocar's angled distal portion. The trocar and obturator can be used in a variety of medical procedures, for example thoracic procedures in which the trocar is used to provide access to a thoracic cavity of a patient.